Page:Kaempfer History of Japan 1727 vol 1 (IA historyofjapangi01kaem).pdf/74

4 ing near. The mot dangerous Paage becaufe of its Narrownes, Shoals and Rocks, are, the Straits of Banca, form’d by an Iland of this name, and the Coats of Sumatra. The Coats of Sumatra all along the Straits are low, without Hills or Mountains, but well tor'd with Woods. Banca, on the contrary, is ragged and broken with high Hills and Mountains in ome Parts, and low verdant ground in others. It eems in the main to be a very fruitful Iland. All the Ships bound for the Eatern Coats of Malacca, for Siam, Cambodia, Cochinchina, China and Japan, pas thee Straits. The Coats of Sumatra, opposite to Banca, have two or three remarkable Points running out into the Straits. We got within half a League of the aid Coats, becaue there is a good, oft Clay at the bottom, and even ground in ix Fathoms Water and more. We made the econd Point of the Coats of Sumatra before Sun et, and lay by againt the next morning.

On the twelfth of May we weigh'd anchor before Sun riing, and this morning got as far as the third and furthermot Point of the Coats of Sumatra. The St. Paul (of which above) which was hitherto far a-tern of us, was now got coniderably a-head us. We teer’d along the Coats to N. N. W. The Sky was thick and cloudy, the Wind variable, motly S. The Coats of Sumatra and Banca appeared much as yeterday, In the Afternoon the Wind turn’d contrary, which made us take in part of our Sails, and tack about for a while.

On the Thirteenth of May in the Evening, we got afe to the End of the Straits, between the Mouth of the River Palimbang on our Larboard, and a very high Rock call’d Monapin, upon the extremity of Banca to the Starboard. The Mouth of the River Palimbang, which was about three quarters of a League ditant, eem’d to be at leat half a League broad. We could ee no Land beyond it, whither for its extent, or becaue of the dusk of the evening. We made the bet of our way towards the aid Mouth, and the Coats of Sumatra in even fathoms and a half, to avoid a dangerous Rock, call'd Frederic Henry, which lies hereabouts, and upon which a Dutch Ship call’d Prince William, bound for Siam, unfortunately tranded, ome Years ago, but the Captain and Crew av’d themelves in the Boat. The Wind proving favourable, and we being pat the Straits of Banca, we ail'd all night.

On the Fourteenth of May in the morning, we came in ight of the Ilands Poele Tsju, that is the Seven Ilands, otherwie the Seven Brothers. We directed our Coure o as to leave the aid Ilands to the Starboard. It was clear and cool, and a good favourable Gale all Day long. We lot ight of the Coats of Sumatra, and in the Evening made the Iland Puli Saya.

Palinbange River.